If You Happen to Have A Dinosaur

A humorous survey of the practical things dinosaurs can do explains how otherwise unused dinosaurs can offer a perfect excuse for forgetting homework while also making good nutcrackers, kites, and burglar alarms.

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This story lists the many ways having a dinosaur at home could be extremely helpful. A few examples of how a dinosaur can be useful are: As a snowplow, as a diving board, eating homework, as a footstool, and a dandy pillow.

The illustrations are digitally rendered. They are very colorful, fun and with plenty of interesting detail.

This story has a rhythm similar at times to If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. It didn't always flow well, but it was funny and cute and sure to be a hit with dinosaur lovers. It is advertized for ages 3-7, but I think 5-8 would enjoy it more as they would better understand the humor which is what makes this story a great read.

emckenzie
Aug 21, 2014

I read this to my preschool class and while some of the situations presented in the book went over their heads they enjoyed the idea of having a dinosaur as a pet. They particularly liked the page that showed the whole town with their dinosaur pets.

If you happen, by some chance, to have a dinosaur lounging around your house, eating you out of house and home, there are many ways to make use of your colossal-sized houseguest!

With its gigantic feet, a dinosaur could grind coffee, mash potatoes or crack walnuts. Its horns could open cans of food and its sharp teeth could shred paper. At night, its presence would certainly deter any would-be burglars.

Outside the house, your dino could mow (or eat) the grass, trim the trees, dig a garden, wash your windows and clean out roof drains. Just think how impressed and envious your neighbours would be!

On rainy days, a dinosaur’s long neck and tail could be a perfect umbrella for the whole neighbourhood. In winter, it could plow snow. In the summer, lined up by the pool, your dino would make an exciting new water slide.

Best of all, a hungry dinosaur would be a great excuse for “forgetting” your homework.

Children will have fun thinking of more nonsensical ways in which a dinosaur could be useful. Paired with goofy illustrations, this picture book will delight the funny bone and the imagination. After all, what young child isn’t fascinated by dinosaurs?

Canadian author Linda Bailey is the author of Toads on Toast and the popular Stanley The Dog series.